New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-28
THE NEW SOUTH.

The statistics of industrial development AT
the South, which are published by enlcrpnsIng
papers Of that section, are indeed marvellous.
They show a rapidity of growth perhaps never
surpassed in any part OF the country, and
complete revolution in the prevailing DISPOSE
ton of the people. The Old South relied upon
agriculture alone and was hostile TO diver
sifcd industry. The New South has learned
that the greater wealth OF Northern States re-
suits from the profitable exchange OF products
between FARMS mines and factories III ciosc
iIIxtaposition, and therefore is laying the foun-
dation Of wonderful prosperity by opening
mines, developing natural resources and erect
ing, near the farms, the mills and factories IN
which their products are to be worked up.
So enthusiastic and hopeful are the people III
this new path Of progress, especially I'm some
parts Of The South that cool observers apprc-
bend period of reaction and serious dlsap-
pointment. Yet il is fair TO remember that
this section has to make up for many years
of neglect. 1t has to supply not only the
new works which each years growth in popu-
lation would require, but others in large
number to take the place OF Northern or for
cign establishments upon which the people
Thus it is stated by 1.-The Chattanooga
T1adcsman,'' in its quarterly review OF Southern
industrial developments, that the increase IN
consumption Of cotton in Southern
mills has been 51-2 per cent dur
ing the past twelve months. The
population has not increased at that rate,
but the South has yet to erect many mills
before it will be able to manufacture the cloth
required by the Southern people, much OF
which has hitherto been produced from South
crn cotton in the far-on mills of Ncw-Engand
or Great Britain. Within the past three
months, thiry-two new cotton manufacturing
companies have been organized. Some will
never complete the projected factories; some
will not be managed with the requisite skill
and thrift. But the success OF others will
enlarge the home market for the product Of
Southern farms and for the labor OF Southern
workers.
The iron development continues, possibly
with too great rapidity. Eleven new furnace
companies have been organized within the
past three months, and twelve new coke com
panics, while work continues on many new
blast furnaces previously begun. In view OF
the enormous production of iron already at
tanned, it is not improbable that some of these
enterprises may prove premature In the
same three months, thirty-one companies have
been formed to search for natural gas and oil.
though it is stated that "nonc has yet been
found in paying quantities." Among other
companies formed during the past quarter arc
SO woodworking establishments, 81 railroad
companies and 81 street railroad companies.
20 brick works, electric light works, %
foundres and machine shops, As flour mills,
81 saw mills, 20 water works and 1873 coal
and ore mines and quarrics.
IL need not be said that many of these COM
panies will end in smoke. AT all times and in
all sections abortive projects arc numerous,
and the money of the unwary is often absorbed
by promoters more shrcwd than honest But
under all the foam and froth of a period Of
unusual excitement there is a real and wonder
luI development in progress, which will not
only add largely to the wealth Of the Southern
States, but will rapidly alter the political aims
and beliefs of the Southern people. For diver
silied industry at the South means understand
ing of the need Of n defensive tariff. The
old fashioned politicians of the Southern
States, with their benightcd adherence To
British theories, must ultimately vanish with
the slave labor which those theories SO long
defended.